22 February: Focus on fifteens rugby

The focus over the coming few weeks around the country is the build-up to the fifteens club and college rugby seasons around New Zealand. Most club competitions are starting on either 21 and 28 March, depending on how far individual union's obsessions go with professional and representative programmes taking precedence above all else and their need to finish club rugby early.

Covering rugby from the bottom up: Changes to this page are coming soon, with the national Noticeboard and Story timelines meaning we will have the capacity to publish stories, like we currently do for Wellington and Taranaki, and news in briefs relating to anywhere around New Zealand. If you have news, stories or information please share by emailing editor@clubrugby.co.nz.

16 February: All Blacks Sevens second in Las Vegas

The All Blacks Sevens side has finished second in the Las Vegas leg of the World Rugby Sevens series, losing to Fiji 35-19 in the Cup final. New Zealand was missing four key players through injury as Fiji led 21-0 at halftime. Ambrose Curtis (2) and Jack Goodhue scored New Zealand’s tries in the final.

For Fiji, it was their second win of the World Rugby sevens series. South Africa defeated home team USA 31-0 in the playoff for third and fourth. New Zealand had beaten the USA 26-12 in the Cup semi-finals and Fiji defeated South Africa 24-19.

The New Zealand Women’s Sevens team has won the Sao Paulo Sevens tournament in Brazil, to take their second title of the women’s World Series season.

New Zealand beat Australia 17-10 in the final, after beating France 12-5 in their semi-final and USA 28-17 in their quarter-final on Day 2. Portia Woodman was the star of the tournament, scoring 13 tries.

New Zealand has won the opening two tournaments of the 2014-15 World Series, in Dubai and Sao Paulo, and is well on track to gaining Olympic qualification. The next tournament is in Atlanta in the USA on 14-15 March, followed by tournaments in Canada, England and the Netherlands.

The All Blacks Sevens team for the World Series tournament at Westpac Stadium in Wellington this weekend is:

Dylan Collier* (Waikato)

Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty)

Ambrose Curtis (Wellington)

Sam Dickson (Canterbury)

DJ Forbes (Captain,Counties Manukau)

Jack Goodhue (Northland)

Rieko Ioane* (Auckland)

Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay)

Tim Mikkelson (Waikato)

Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau)

Beaudein Waaka* (Taranaki)

Joe Webber (Waikato)

* new squad member

28 January: All Blacks Sevens squad named

The All Blacks Sevens squad to prepare for the next two tournaments of the HSBC Sevens World Series; Sevens Wellington (6-7 February) and USA Sevens in Las Vegas (13-15 February) features four new players. The team will be named on Monday 2 February.

The squad is:

Tomasi Cama (Manawatu)

Dylan Collier* (Waikato)

Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty)

Ambrose Curtis (Wellington)

Sam Dickson (Canterbury)

DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau)

Jack Goodhue (Northland)

Josh Gordon* (Otago)

Rieko Ioane* (Auckland)

Gillies Kaka (Hawke’s Bay)

Tim Mikkelson (Waikato)

Lote Raikabula (Wellington)

Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau)

Murphy Taramai (Wellington)

Beaudein Waaka* (Taranaki)

Joe Webber (Waikato)

* new squad member

Players unavailable due to injury are Declan O’Donnell, Joe Tupe and Sam Vaka.

The four new squad members are – Waikato utility back Dylan Collier; Otago wing Josh Gordon; Rieko Ioane, brother of former All Blacks Sevens player Akira Ioane and Taranaki 2014 ITM Cup squad member Beaudein Waaka.

I have kept a close eye on these young players for some time," said coach Gordon Tietjens. "They were certainly stand-outs at the National Sevens in Rotorua so it’s great to be able to include them in the squad for the first time.

“I am sure they will be going all out to earn selection for Wellington and Las Vegas.”

After three legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series the All Blacks Sevens are lying third behind Fiji and leaders South Africa. They must finish in the top four in the series to ensure automatic qualification for the Olympics in Rio de Janiero in 2016.

“We are very much looking forward to Wellington as the city really turns it on for all the teams. It’s always very special to play in front of a home crowd as we only play in New Zealand once a year.

“This is also an important tournament for us given our current position in the series. We won here last year so we will be working hard to do our best in front of our fans," said Tietjens.

20 January: Positive website changes coming

As part of our growth, this page here is being improved - in functionality as well as aesthetically. Soon we'll be introducing our own national club and community rugby-focused Noticeboard and Story timeline. As well as Noticeboard posts, we'll be able to publish our own stories about anything and anywhere. Currently our 'story' capacity is limited to our Wellington and Taranaki websites.

Email editor@clubrugby.co.nz today about permanent advertising on this page (top of page) and/or about partnering with us as we move forward.

Club Rugby is also seeking content partners, so if you are an independent webmaster or a provincial rugby union or club please contact us or add us to your media release list and we can help share your content to a wider audience.

College Rugby is coming. Club Rugby already covers college First XV and Sevens rugby, but our dedicated website will help grow this coverage.

18 January: National Sevens Day 2 Results

Results from Day Two of the 2015 National Sevens tournament, won by Waikato (men) and Auckland (women):

Men’s Bowl Quarterfinals

Horowhenua Kapiti 14 - South Canterbury 10

North Harbour 29 - Mid Canterbury 7

Manawatu 24 - Wairarapa Bush 7

Tasman 19 – Canterbury 12

Men’s Cup Quarterfinals

Counties Manukau 21 – Taranaki 10

Wellington 24 – Otago 17

Bay of Plenty 17 – Northland 12

Waikato 28 – Auckland 14

Men’s Shield Semi-finals

Mid Canterbury 24 – South Canterbury 12

Canterbury 26 – Wairarapa Bush 12

Bowl Semi-finals

North Harbour 26 – Horowhenua Kapiti 5

Manawatu 26 – Tasman 19

Men’s Cup Semi-finals

Wellington 14 – Counties Manukau 7

Waikato 33 – Bay of Plenty 0

Men’s Plate semi-finals

Taranaki 28 – Otago 19

Northland 27 – Auckland 7

Men’s Shield final

Canterbury 24 – 19 Mid Canterbury (19-19 at fulltime)

Men’s Bowl final

North Harbour 28 – Manawatu 21 (21-21 at fulltime)

Men’s Plate final

Taranaki 22 – Northland 7

Men’s Cup final

Waikato 38 – Wellington 19

Women’s Cup playoffs

Waikato 36 - Canterbury 7

Bay of Plenty women 14 - Counties Manukau 12

Women’s Plate playoffs

Wellington 31 – Southland 5

Taranaki 29 – Otago 7

Women’s Plate semi-finals

Wellington 29 – Canterbury 0

Taranaki 24 – Counties Manukau 17

Women’s Cup semi-finals

Auckland 35 – Bay of Plenty 10

Manawatu 14 – Waikato 10

Women’s Bowl final

Otago 19 – Southland 12

Women’s Plate final

Wellington 24 - Taranaki 14

Women’s 7th/8th playoff

Canterbury 26 – 12 Counties Manukau

Women’s 3rd/4th playoff

Waikato 26 – Bay of Plenty 21

Women’s Cup final

Auckland 29 – Manawatu 14

17 January: National Sevens Day 1 Results

Day 2 Draw:

For full Day 2 Draw visit: http://www.nationalsevens.co.nz/games/

Men's Cup quaterfinals:

11.25 am: Taranaki v Counties Manukau

11.45 am: Wellington v Otago

12.05 pm: Auckland v Waikato

12.25 pm: Bay of Plenty v Northland

Women's playoffs:

Cup playoffs

10.05 am: Bay of Plenty v Counties Manukau

10.25 am: Canterbury v Waikato

Plate playoffs

10.45 am: Wellington v Southland

11.05 am: Taranaki v Otago

Women's Cup final: 4.55 pm and Men's Cup final 5.30 pm.

Men’s Results Day 1:

Wellington 35 – Wairarapa Bush 10

Waikato 24 – North Harbour 12

Auckland 19 – Otago 19

Manawatu 38 – Mid Canterbury 5

Taranaki 26 – Horowhenua Kapiti 15

Northland 27 – Tasman 7

Counties Manukau 40 – South Canterbury 12

Bay of Plenty 28 – Canterbury 7

Waikato 35 – Wairarapa Bush 10

Wellington 27 – North Harbour 12

Auckland 27 – Mid Canterbury 21

Manawatu 17 – Otago 17

Horowhenua Kapiti 15 – Tasman 7

Taranaki 12 – Northland 5

Canterbury 24 – South Canterbury 14

Bay of Plenty 24 – Counties Manukau 19

North Harbour 26 – Wairarapa Bush 24

Wellington 35 – Waikato 5

Auckland 19 – Manawatu 14

Otago 52 – Mid Canterbury 5

Northland 31 - Horowhenua Kapiti 5

Taranaki 19 – Tasman 0

Counties Manukau 27 - Canterbury 0

Bay of Plenty 14 - South Canterbury 7

Women’s Results Day 1:

Manawatu 21 – Canterbury 0

Bay of Plenty 29 – 7 Taranaki

Waikato 45 – Southland 0

Auckland 21 – Counties Manukau 5

Canterbury 19 – Wellington 17

Manawatu 38 – Taranaki 5

Otago 28 – Southland 19

Waikato 33 – Counties Manukau 0

Bay of Plenty 19 – Wellington 14

Canterbury 26 – Taranaki 14

Auckland 21 – Otago 7

Counties Manukau 31 – Southland 12

Manawatu 10 – Wellington 5

Bay of Plenty 22 – Canterbury 12

Waikato 29 – Otago 5

Auckland 49 – Southland 0

Wellington 17 – Taranaki 7

Manawatu 19 – Bay of Plenty 0

Counties Manukau 26 – Otago 5

Auckland 19 – Waikato 12

New Zealand community rugby 2015

Happy New Year.

If you have news, information, results videos or photos please email editor@clubrugby.co.nz, or share it on our social media channels @clubrugby, www.facebook.com/nzclubrugby and www.youtube.com/clubrugbynz

15 January: National Sevens this weekend

The year's first provincial title will be decided this weekend in Rotorua with the National Sevens tournament.

For previews from a Wellington and Taranaki persepctive and to view the draw for Day One on Saturday visit our Wellington and Taranaki websites on Friday. (links across the top of this page and on the map of NZ at left). Club Rugby will carry the results, key news and photos.

10 January: Bay of Plenty Sevens Results

The Bay of Plenty Sevens one-day event was played at Mount Maunganui today, with both the Auckland men’s and women’s teams winners.

15 August: ITM Cup,Heartland Championship and Women's NPC coverage

Coming shortly: Our ITM Cup, Heartland Championship and Women's NPC Championship coverage. The ITM Cup is already underway, so visit this page here: www.clubrugby.co.nz/national- Changes to these pages just around the corner...

New Zealand Club Rugby 2 and 3 August

Congratulations to Hutt Old Boys Marist in Wellington and High School Old Boys in Christchurch for taking out two major metropolitan titles this weekend.

In Wellington, HOBM beat Wainuiomata 14-11 in an epic season decider, while in Christchurch. HSOB defeated Sydenham 14-5.

In the Hawke's Bay, Havelock North and Taradale will meet in this weekend's Maddison Trophy final.

For more, click on the links above and on the selected regions in the map of New Zealand that choose to support us.

ITM Cup, Heartland and Women's NPC coverage coming

Last year we ran the Heartland Championship and Women's NPC competitions; this year we will also feature the ITM Cup as part of our new and extended coverage of all things rugby below the full professional level. Details coming soon.

New Zealand Club Rugby 26 July

A round-up of most club rugby Premier competitions around NZ on Saturday 26 July (email results, news, updated tables to editor@clubrugby.co.nz).

Semi-finals and finals continued around much of the country this week.

Auckland 26 July:

University beat Grammar TEC 29-26 in a truly epic Gallaher Shield final at Eden Park. The final went to overtime after scores had been locked at 19-19 at the end of 80 minutes. It was then 26-26 all after the first period of extra-time, but University kicked a penalty with about a minute remaining to give them the lead for the first time and ultimately victory.

In minor finals, Waitemata beat Manukau Rovers to take the Jubilee Trophy, Suburbs edged Marist 23-20 to win the Portola Trophy and Maungarua pipped East Tamaki 13-12 to win the President's Cup. The University U21s also won their final, defeating College Rifles 21-11.

For more click on the link above.

Baywide Premier Final 26 July:

Mount Maunganui beat Whakarewarewa 26-23 in the final of the Premier Baywide competition on Saturday.

Played in fine sunny conditions, Mount Maunganui led 16-8 at halftime, extending this to 23-8 early in the second half. But Whakarewarewa roared back with a converted try and penalty to trail 23-18 with 20 minutes still to play. Whakarewarewa then scored another try and it was 23-23. However, with several minutes left, Mount Maunganui kicked the winning penalty and they held on to the end.

Buller 26 July

Click on the map of NZ above

Canterbury 26 July

Christchurch Metro- click on the link above. Semi-finals.

High School Old Boys and Sydenham will meet in next Sunday's final.

Sydenham upset defending champion New Brighton 17-5 in one semi-final and likewise High School Old Boys upset Lincoln University 26-11.

Counties Manukau Premier McNamara Cup 26 July:

McNamara Cup Final.

Bombay defeated round-robin winners Karaka 16-10 to win the McNamara Cup, to be crowned 2014 Counties Power Premier Club Rugby Champions. In a tight and willing final, scores were locked at 10-10 at halftime. Both sides had chances in the second half, but two penalties won the match for Bombay.

Hawke's Bay:

Round 9 of the Maddison Trophy was played on 16 July - click on the link above.

Havelock North ended the round-robin unbeaten. They will host fourth placed qualifier Napier Pirates in one semi-final, with second placed Taradale playing third placed Napier Old Boys Marist in the other.

Horowhenua-Kapiti 26 July:

Ramsbottom Cup final

Paraparaumu defeated Shannon 12-9 in the final.

Manawatu

Top qualifiers College Old Boys defeated Kia Toa 21-10 in the 2014 Hankins Shield final last Saturday.

Top qualifier Taieri blew University A away to win 51-6 in Saturday's final at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Universityled 6-3 early, But Taieri went on the rampage and scored 48 unanswered points. They led 29-6 at halftime.

Southland 26 July

Premier Galbraith Shield - Final

Top qualifiers Woodlands made it three titles in a row, beating Marist 32-3 in the final at Rugby Park, Invercargill. Woodlands led 24-3 at halftime, and then turned their attention to tightening up their defence and holding off Marist throughout much of the second half.

Taranaki

Inglewood defeated Coastal 35-14 in the final of the Taranaki Premiership last week. For more, click of the link above.

Jubilee and Hardham Cups Round semi-finals - click on the map of NZ above for full results, news and stories.

Hutt Old Boys Marist will play Wainuiomata in next Sunday's Jubilee Cup final, while in the curtain-raiser, Northern United will play Poneke in the Hardham Cup final.

West Coast 26 July

Click on the map of NZ above

New Zealand Club Rugby 19 July

A round-up of most club rugby Premier competitions around NZ on Saturday 19 July (email results, news, updated tables to editor@clubrugby.co.nz).Semi-finals and finals around much of the country this week.

Auckland 19 July:

University and Grammar TEC will contest the Gallaher Shield final at Eden Park.

Grammar TEC beat Pakuranga 25-13 in one semi-final and round-robin winners University cut through multiple champions Ponsonby to win 44-11.

For more, click on the link above.

Baywide Premier semi-finals 19 July:

Whakarewarewa 18 - Tauranga Sports 17Mount Maunganui 35 - Te Puke 20

Whakarewarewa and Mount Maunganui will meet on 26 July at the neutral venue of Tauranga Domain in the final.

Christchurch Metro- click on the link above. The fifth round of championship rugby was splayed on Saturday, with the Top 6 Section 1, Bottom 6 Section 2 competitions.

Lincoln University and New Brighton will host home semi-finals. New Brighton (1) will play Sydenham (4) and Lincoln (2) will play HSOB (3).

Counties Manukau Premier McNamara Cup 19 July:

McNamara Cup semi-finals:

Karaka 32 - Waiuku 17Bombay 32 - Patumahoe 22

Karaka and Bombay to meet in the final.

Hawke's Bay:

The eighth round of nine of the Maddison Trophy was played on 19 July - click on the link above.

Havelock North have qualified for the semi-finals as top qualifier with a round to spare, after they defeated MAC 40-14 and second placed Taradale were held to an old fashioned 3-3 draw by NOBM. Havelock North hold a 5-point lead over Taradale, but beat them 21-18 earlier in the round-robin.

Top qualifier Taieri will meet University A in the final of the Galbraith Shield.Taieri accounted for last year's champions Dunedin 20-3 and University defeated Southern 35-27 in the other. University came back from a 10-24 halftime deficit to clinch their spot.

Christchurch Metro- click on the link above. The third round of championship rugby was splayed on Saturday, with the Top 6 Section 1, Bottom 6 Section 2 competitions.

Lincoln University and New Brighton are the two unbeaten teams through three rounds of the Top 6 Section 1 competition.

Counties Manukau Premier McNamara Cup 12 July:

Marist 17-Pukekohe 16

Karaka 29 -Onewhero 16

Bombay 21 - Patumahoe 14

Hawke's Bay:

Seventh round of the Maddison Trophy on 12 July - click on the link above.

Two rounds remaining before the semi-finals, and unbeaten Havelock North have taken a narrow lead at the top of the standings to second placed Taradale after a series of one-sided matches in Round Seven.

Sixth round of the Maddison Trophy on 5 July - click on the link above.

Three rounds remaining before the semi-finals, and unbeaten Havelock North have taken a narrow lead at the top of the standings. Defending champions Napier Technical have won three from six and are mid-table.

Horowhenua-Kapiti 5 July:

Paraparaumu 43 - Waikanae 12

Levin Athletic 27 - Levin Wanderers 15

Shannon 41 - Levin College Old Boys 19

King Country 5 July:

Results TBC

Manawatu - Centennial Shield - 5 July

Round 18:College Old Boys have finished as top qualifier for the semi-finals on 12 July. They will meet Old Boys Marist on one semi, whom they beat in the last round, while second placed Kia Toa will host third placed Varsity.

College Old Boys 43 - Old Boys Marist 7

Varsity 33 - Linton Army 20

Feilding Old Boys Oroua 24 -Te Kawau 14.

Feilding 30 - Freyberg 12.

Kia Toa - bye.

North Harbour:

Round 15 - click on the link above.

Frontrunners Massey regained their winning formula, after losing three of their previous four matches, to qualify top for the semi-finals with a week to spare. The other three semi-finalists in a fortnight have also been confirmed.

Northland 5 July:

Wellsford 35 - Kamo 12

Otamatea 34 - Old Boys Marist 32

Mid Northern 34 - Waipu 22

Horahora 54 - Hikurangi 17

Mid Western 45 - Western Sharks 12

North Canterbury 5 July:

Ashley 13 - Kaiapoi 11

Glenmark 17 - Oxford 16

Saracens 14 - Ohoka 12

North Otago 5 July

Kurow 28 - Maheno 14

Excelsior 25 - Vally 22

Old Boys 53 - Athletic Marist 10

Otago (Dunedin Premier, round 17 - Saturday 5 July):

All four semi-finalists for the Premier Gallaway Trophy competition have been found with next week's final round to spare. Taieri have already qualified top, but the order of finishing amongst the other three teams has yet to be decided.

Jubilee and Hardham Cups Round Five - click on the map of NZ above for full results, news and stories.

Hutt Old Boys Marist are out in front in the Jubilee after five rounds.

West Coast

Click on the map of NZ above

New Zealand Club Rugby 28 June

A round-up of most club rugby Premier competitions around NZ on Saturday 28 June (email results, news, updated tables to editor@clubrugby.co.nz):

Auckland:

Round 14 of 15 of of the Alan McEvoy Trophy and Round 6 of the Premier 1 First XV competition

Auckland University have won the round-robin qualifying series for the championship with a round to spare. The chase for the minor places is still very much alive next week.

For more, click on the link above.

Bay of Plenty Baywide Premier 28 June:

There's two rounds to go before the Baywide semi-finals and a possible five teams are left alive chasing the four playoff positions. Seven points seperates the five contenders with a maximum of 10 competition points still available.

Fifth round of the Maddison Trophy on 28 June - click on the link above.

Taradale and Havelock North edged out Taradale 21-18 in their top-of-the-table clash. Two of the other four matches went down to the wire, leaving seven of the 10 teams still in the hunt for the playoffs with two regular season matches remaining.

Horowhenua-Kapiti 28 June:

Paraparaumu 43 - Shannon 5

Waikanae 19 - Levin Wanderers 19

Levin Athletic 30 - Levin College Old Boys 23

King Country 28 June:

Results TBC

Manawatu - Centennial Shield - 28 June

Round 17 matches.With one round remaining until the semi-finals, College Old Boys continue to lead the competition, with Kia Toa, Varsity and Old Boys Marist all chasing hard.

The Western Pioneers edged Massey by a point in their top of the table clash.

Northland 28 June:

Whangarei beat Bay of Islands 86-10 to win the 2014 Harding Shield.

North Otago 28 June

Kurow 19 - Valley 13

Athletic Marist 27 - Excelsior 16

Old Boys 31 - Maheno 14

Otago (Dunedin Premier, round 16 - Saturday 28 June):

Taieri continue to hold sway in the Dunedin club competition, ending Harbour's month-long winning run and winning 19-16. The win means Harbour is in fifth, 6 points adrift of fourth placed with just two rounds to play before the semi-finals.

Round 13 - New Plymouth Old Boys have consolidated their lead at the top of the standings in a tight competition race for semi-finals spots with just one round remaining. Click on the link above for full results, updated point table, news and stories.

Tasman - Tasman Trophy 28 June

Stoke 22 - Marist 20

Central 25 - Kahurangi 5

Waimea 90 - Awatere 7

Watohi 38 - Harlequins 8

Thames Valley - 28 June:

The fourth round Jordan Cup is underway, with first round winners Cobras continuing to set the pace.

Cobras 21 - Waihi 8

Hauraki North 65 - Mercury Bay 3

Waihou 27 - Thames 24

Waikato (Round 15 - Saturday 21 June):

Hamilton Marist beat leaders Otorohanga, meaning that University have regained the lead and a tight race remains amongst the five contenders still alive for the playoffs, with just two rounds to play.

Jubilee and Hardham Cups Round Four - click on the map of NZ above for full results, news and stories.

Hutt Old Boys Marist and Wainuiomata are the joint front-runners after four rounds of the Jubilee Cup.

West Coast

Click on the map of NZ above

New Zealand Club Rugby 21 June

Auckland:

Round 13 of the Alan McEvoy Trophy and Round 5 of the Premier 1 First XV competition

Auckland University are clear leaders on their own after beating Waitemata in a top-of-the-table clash. Pakuranga are now joint second with Waitemata after their win over the Manukau Rovers. There are two rounds remaining before the championship series starts.